The need for even deeper cuts to the U.S. rig count and the inevitable top-line impact to energy producers will mean more pain for energy sector stocks like Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) and Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX), both of which saw their shares drop out of multi-month trading ranges this week to return to levels last seen in 2013, as well as overall corporate earnings growth and business investment.
That puts five dividend-focused energy stocks — domiciled outside the United States, and thus doubly threatened by the strengthening of the dollar — at great risk. Here are five energy dividend stocks to avoid: Eni SpA (ADR) (E), Total SA (ADR) (TOT), BP plc (ADR) (BP), Royal Dutch Shell plc (ADR) (RDS.A) and Statoil ASA (ADR) (STO).